Travel and tourism added around 490 million U.S. dollars to Mauritius' GDP in 2021, a decline of 40 percent compared to the previous year. Famous for its beaches and natural landscape, Mauritius is one of the most visited destinations in Africa. Tourism is a relevant component of the country's economy and was strongly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Before the health crisis, the sector added 2.35 billion U.S. dollars to Mauritius' GDP in 2019.

In 2021, travel and tourism contributed roughly five percent to Mauritius's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The share decreased from 8.3 percent in 2020, still reflecting the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the sector. Famous for its beaches and natural landscape, Mauritius is one of the most visited destinations in Africa.

Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Travel Items data was reported at 1.571 USD bn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.432 USD bn for 2015. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Travel Items data is updated yearly, averaging 938.000 USD mn from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.571 USD bn in 2016 and a record low of 430.000 USD mn in 1995. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Travel Items data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Tourism Statistics. International tourism receipts for travel items are expenditures by international inbound visitors in the reporting economy. The goods and services are purchased by, or on behalf of, the traveler or provided, without a quid pro quo, for the traveler to use or give away. These receipts should include any other prepayment made for goods or services received in the destination country. They also may include receipts from same-day visitors, except in cases where these are so important as to justify a separate classification. Excluded is the international carriage of travelers, which is covered in passenger travel items. Data are in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.; Gap-filled total;

Dataset shows Selected tourism statistics for Hotel - Travel arrangement, %, 2015, 2018 and 2023

Employment in travel and tourism in Mauritius represented a share of 15.5 percent of the country's total employment in 2021. The share slightly increased from 14.8 percent, when the sector was strongly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the improvement, employment in tourism remained lower compared to the level previous to the health crisis.

Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Travel Items data was reported at 586.000 USD mn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 553.000 USD mn for 2015. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Travel Items data is updated yearly, averaging 301.000 USD mn from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 586.000 USD mn in 2016 and a record low of 159.000 USD mn in 1995. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Travel Items data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Tourism Statistics. International tourism expenditures are expenditures of international outbound visitors in other countries. The goods and services are purchased by, or on behalf of, the traveler or provided, without a quid pro quo, for the traveler to use or give away. These may include expenditures by residents traveling abroad as same-day visitors, except in cases where these are so important as to justify a separate classification. Excluded is the international carriage of travelers, which is covered in passenger travel items. Data are in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.; Gap-filled total;

The North-African nation Morocco ranked first among the African countries with the most international tourist arrivals, accounting for almost **** million arrivals in 2024. Following in second place and third place were Egypt and Tunisia, which received around **** million and **** million arrivals, respectively.    Which is the top tourist spot?  Egypt ranked first in terms of international tourism receipts in 2023, which amounted to approximately **** billion U.S. dollars. Morocco, South Africa, and Tanzania followed, with international tourist receipts of around **** billion, *** billion, and *** billion U.S. dollars, respectively. Furthermore, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa have been the three leading countries since 2019. Regarding the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) in Africa in 2024, which measures factors and policies that make a country eligible for investments in the travel and tourism sector, South Africa, Mauritius, and Egypt held the top spots. South Africa received a TTCI score of **** out of seven, while Mauritius and Egypt received **** and **** points, respectively. Comparatively, Botswana and Kenya came in next.

Yearly (annual) dataset of the Mauritius Travel Earnings, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1995-12-31 to 2020-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

France ranked as the main origin of international visitors in Mauritius as of 2021. One-third of the foreign tourists visiting the African country came from the European nation. Germany, Reunion, and India followed as leading sources of tourists, each with an eight percent share in total inbound arrivals. Famous for its beaches and natural landscape, Mauritius is one of the most visited destinations in Africa.

Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Passenger Transport Items data was reported at 67.000 USD mn in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 69.000 USD mn for 2015. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Passenger Transport Items data is updated yearly, averaging 22.500 USD mn from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69.000 USD mn in 2015 and a record low of 18.000 USD mn in 2001. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Passenger Transport Items data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Tourism Statistics. International tourism expenditures for passenger transport items are expenditures of international outbound visitors in other countries for all services provided during international transportation by nonresident carriers. Also included are passenger services performed within an economy by nonresident carriers. Excluded are passenger services provided to nonresidents by resident carriers within the resident economies; these are included in travel items. In addition to the services covered by passenger fares--including fares that are a part of package tours but excluding cruise fares, which are included in travel--passenger services include such items as charges for excess baggage, vehicles, or other personal accompanying effects and expenditures for food, drink, or other items for which passengers make expenditures while on board carriers. Data are in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.; Gap-filled total;

Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Number of Arrivals data was reported at 1,275,000.000 Person in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,151,000.000 Person for 2015. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Number of Arrivals data is updated yearly, averaging 774,500.000 Person from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,275,000.000 Person in 2016 and a record low of 422,000.000 Person in 1995. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Number of Arrivals data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Tourism Statistics. International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.; ; World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.; Gap-filled total;

Abstract

The primary objective of the 2009 Survey of Outgoing Tourists was to obtain more comprehensive statistical information relating to tourists who visit the country from foreign countries. The data obtained supplement the basic tourism statistics already collected from administrative sources and serve to provide for better planning and marketing decisions. Moreover, the survey provides input for the elaboration of the Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA).

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Tourist
• Parties
• Country of Residence

Universe

Departing tourists

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

No "a priori" sample design was established in the sense that the number of interviews to be conducted was not calculated on any pre-determined quota based on the country of residence or any other basic profiles of the tourist such as sex, age, purpose of visit or travel arrangement.

Interviews were conducted on a "first available" basis, that is tourists were approached for interview as they entered the departure lounge after check-in formalities, depending on the availability of the Interviewee. The Supervisor had to closely monitor the situation and ensure representativeness among all departing flights by later directing interviewers to those departing visitors who had not yet been interviewed.

In all, 15,881 interviews were conducted, covering 34,641 tourists. Thus, the number of tourists covered represented around 4% of total tourists visiting Mauritius for the year 2009.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire comprised four modules. Module A collected information on characteristics of respondents, purpose of visit, mode of travel, party size and length of stay. Details on expenditure and cost of travel were covered in Module B. Questions in Module C and D were intended to evaluate the stay of the tourists in the country and to record suggestions for improvement of tourist facilities.

To ensure that tourists from the major generating countries were adequately covered, the questionnaire originally in English and French, was translated into German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.

Cleaning operations

The completed questionnaires were scrutinized on the spot by the two Supervisors for completeness and consistencies. Further editing and coding were performed at the Statistics Unit of the Ministry of Tourism, Leisure & External Communications.

The data were then captured and processed using the Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS) version 3.1, a statistical package developed by the US Bureau of Census.

Response rate

Around 94% of departing tourists who were approached for interview responded positively. Those few who declined to co-operate could not do otherwise because of their late arrival for check-in formalities.

Data appraisal

The distribution of tourists covered by the survey is checked with the distribution of actual tourist arrivals by country of residence. Total expenditure by tourist is compared with total tourism receipts compiled by the Bank of Mauritius.

Discover the booming African wellness tourism market! This in-depth analysis reveals a $89.56 million industry projected to grow at over 5% CAGR until 2033, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing focus on holistic wellness. Explore key trends, regional insights, and leading companies shaping this exciting sector. Recent developments include: August 2023: Africa’s leading conservation and ecotourism brand, Singita, partnered with the Prue Leith Culinary Institute, founded by the globally renowned culinary expert and television personality Dame Prue Leith. The goal is to build a more robust and internationally recognized qualification for students from nearby rural communities., March 2023: Healing Earth continues to expand its footprint on the continent with dedicated training, inspiration, and empowerment in East Africa. Healing Earth has started with their highly anticipated training program this year run by their highly professional and experienced Head of Wellness Operation.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing demand for healthy living, stress reduction, meditation and other activities. Potential restraints include: Increasing demand for healthy living, stress reduction, meditation and other activities. Notable trends are: Increasing Number of Tourists in South Africa.

United States Visitor Arrivals: Africa: Mauritius data was reported at 281.000 Person in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 224.000 Person for Feb 2025. United States Visitor Arrivals: Africa: Mauritius data is updated monthly, averaging 195.000 Person from Jan 2000 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 303 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 804.000 Person in Jul 2024 and a record low of 5.000 Person in May 2020. United States Visitor Arrivals: Africa: Mauritius data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Travel and Tourism Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.Q001: Visitor Arrivals.

Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Passenger Transport Items data was reported at 253.000 USD mn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 247.000 USD mn for 2015. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Passenger Transport Items data is updated yearly, averaging 266.500 USD mn from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2016, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 369.000 USD mn in 2008 and a record low of 175.000 USD mn in 1999. Mauritius MU: International Tourism: Receipts: for Passenger Transport Items data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mauritius – Table MU.World Bank.WDI: Tourism Statistics. International tourism receipts for passenger transport items are expenditures by international inbound visitors for all services provided in the international transportation by resident carriers. Also included are passenger services performed within an economy by nonresident carriers. Excluded are passenger services provided to nonresidents by resident carriers within the resident economies; these are included in travel items. In addition to the services covered by passenger fares--including fares that are a part of package tours but excluding cruise fares, which are included in travel--passenger services include such items as charges for excess baggage, vehicles, or other personal accompanying effects and expenditures for food, drink, or other items for which passengers make expenditures while on board carriers. Data are in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.; Gap-filled total;

International travelers usually made up the highest spending group in the sector of travel and tourism in Mauritius. In 2020, domestic spending added up to nearly 530 million U.S. dollars, whereas domestic spending reached around 110 million U.S. dollars. Overall, the spending decreased compared to 2019.

Leisure travels usually made up the highest spending category in the sector of travel and tourism in Mauritius. In 2020, leisure spending added up to over 443 million U.S. dollars, whereas business spending added up to roughly 195 million U.S. dollars. Overall, the spending decreased compared to 2019.

MU：国际旅游：旅行项目收入在12-01-2016达1,571.000百万美元，相较于12-01-2015的1,432.000百万美元有所增长。MU：国际旅游：旅行项目收入数据按年更新，12-01-1995至12-01-2016期间平均值为938.000百万美元，共22份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-2016，达1,571.000百万美元，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-1995，为430.000百万美元。CEIC提供的MU：国际旅游：旅行项目收入数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于World Bank，数据归类于全球数据库的毛里求斯 – 表 MU.世行.WDI：旅游业统计。

In 2023, the number of tourist arrivals in Egypt amounted to about ** million, up from around ** million in the previous year. In 2020, tourist arrivals were at its lowest, at **** million. The significant drop was mainly due to travel restrictions implemented due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Within the period under review, two major declines in arrivals can be recognized, one in 2016 and the other in 2020. In 2015, a Russian plane crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, significantly leading to the drop in 2016. Egypt as a top tourist spot on the continent Since 2020, Egypt has been leading Africa in tourist arrivals. In 2019, the country ranked second to Morocco, which registered over **** million tourists. In fact, both countries held leading positions in terms of international tourism receipts. In 2023, inbound tourism expenditure reached around **** billion U.S. dollars, while that of Morocco added up to **** billion U.S. dollars. Overall, according to the travel and tourism competitiveness index, Egypt is the third highest-ranking African country in terms of its attractiveness in tourism sector development, just after South Africa and Mauritius. A popular destination for Europeans Egypt is a globally famous tourist site, mainly for Europeans. In 2022, around *** million European visitors visited Egypt, the highest number compared to other regions. Furthermore, as of the latest data in 2019, the country had almost ******* hotel rooms to accommodate tourists. That year, the occupancy rate for the rooms stood at over ** percent. 

As of 2019, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to total employment in Africa remained around *** percent. Compared to 2008, the sector's direct contribution to employment slightly decreased, as it stood at *** percent in that year. From a country perspective, island states like Seychelles, Cape Verde, and Mauritius registered larger shares of tourism participation in total employment in Africa.